ORLANDO, Fla. — With the holidays around the corner, many know it would be their last chance to get tested for the coronavirus before seeing any family or friends.

What You Need To Know

  • People head to testing sites to get COVID-19 tests

  • Many know its their last chance to be tested before the holidays

  • Long line at Barnett Park site, with some waiting 3 to 4 hours

  • County waiting to see if relief package could help improve the testing situation

On Wednesday, lines spilled out from Barnett Park, onto busy S.R. 50/Colonial Drive.

Among those waiting was Mellyssa Alvarez, who arrived with her mother mid-morning.

“My first symptoms were on Sunday. I noticed a sore throat when I woke up Monday morning I had a fever," she said. “I already have a confirmed positive, already did my quarantine so I want to get my negative."

So, Alvarrez made her way to Barnett Park, after another testing site where she stopped ran out of rapid tests.

Orange County said that in the last two days, 3,386 tests were performed at Barnett Park, though dwindling CARES Act money means a shutdown of the site by the end of January.

The county, too, is waiting to see what the package Congress just passed this week might mean for an extension of operations or enhanced testing capacity.

“They’re putting their thinking caps on to see how we can make it extend," said Dr. Yolanda Martinez, with Orange County Health Services, last Friday.

And nine months into the pandemic, many waiting said that the testing situation has not improved.

“It’s kind of the same," said Reilly Rabitaille, who waited for three and a half hours to get tested Wednesday morning. “There’s only three lines there, it would be great if they had even one more line to move people through, especially now toward the holidays.”

“It’s a little frustrating," agreed Paul Simons. He hopped in line to get tested before picking up his 93-year-old mother tomorrow for Christmas dinner. "It’s also closed tomorrow and the next two days, so this was the only opportunity," he said.

News 13 reached out to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, asking if the spending package just approved by Congress — but awaiting the president's signature -- could improve the testing situation, and how much money Florida could expect to see for testing and tracing. They did not get back to us.

“Be prepared to wait. It’s not something you’re going to show up to and they get to you. You just have to be patient," Alvarez said.